Romulus Community Schools board votes to non‑renew probationary teacher’s contract

The Romulus Community Schools Board of Education on June 29 adopted a resolution to non‑renew the contract of probationary teacher Ray Tonchin, finding his services “ineffective” and setting the contract termination for June 30, 2026.

The resolution, introduced and incorporated from the superintendent's recommendation, states that Tonchin received written notice of the recommendation and an opportunity to appear before the board but did not appear or submit a written response. The board cited the Michigan Teachers' Tenure Act, MCL 38.83, in the resolution and directed the superintendent to notify Tonchin in writing of the action and his right to appeal to the State Tenure Commission within 20 days.

The motion was made by Vice President Davis and supported by Trustee Jackson. A roll call vote recorded members present voting yes: Davis, Jackson, President Laster and Treasurer Canard. The board recorded the resolution language that “the services of probationary teacher Ray Tonchin are determined to be ineffective” and that the superintendent’s evaluations and related documents were incorporated by reference.

Kevin Brock, the district’s executive director for administration and human resources, prefaced the matter by stating that required procedures and notifications had been followed before the item was presented to the board.

The resolution assigns the superintendent responsibility to notify the employee and provide a certified copy of the resolution and appeal information; it does not state any additional personnel action beyond the non‑renewal and the statutory appeal path. The board did not receive a verbal appearance or written submission from Tonchin at the meeting.